Mana Davao Davao may be illuminated to the brim with Pasko Fiesta celebrations around town, thanks to the projects of the city government and supporting sectors, but there is one special area that stands out during this holiday season. Mana Davao (or Mana Davao Casa de Artes y Antiguos), a high end antique shop along Bajada highway, is a tourist landmark for several years now. The vibrant and stunning, festive montage it produces every year never fails to draw crowds every Christmas (not to mention the traffic it happily causes in the highway). Thousands of lights are set up in fantastic production, drawing excited people like moths to a flame. This year, MANA totally sets a higher standard of creative accomplishment with the spectacular Christmas tableau (I suspect it’s a “Going Green” theme) that lights up everyone’s faces, kids and adults alike. Never mind the electric bill afterwards. The people behind Mana know they deserve a spotlight in Davao’s history for making Dabawenyos proud. More of my Mana images here

Mana Davao (or Mana Davao Casa de Artes y Antiguos), a high end antique shop along Bajada highway, is a tourist landmark for several years now. The vibrant and stunning, festive montage it produces every year never fails to draw crowds every Christmas (not to mention the traffic it happily causes in the highway). Thousands of lights are set up in fantastic production, drawing excited people like moths to a flame. Here is my tribute to Mana Davao, along with one of my favorite childhood song.

As a proud Dabawenya, I went around to shoot the spectacular lights and festive atmosphere in my city through the annual Pasko Fiesta sa Davao, thanks to the city government and supporting sectors. Throughout December, certain roads are blocked to accommodate makeshift stalls and eateries, for fun walks and activities in the evenings. It does cause traffic in most areas for public transports, and commuting may be a bit difficult. Then again, rain or shine, people were everywhere. Sharing with you scenes I captured one drizzling evening from People’s Park to San Pedro Street. Davao may be quieter during this season but we make up for it through bright lights and cheerful sprits. More of my Christmas captures here

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” ~ Martin Luther King Sunrise, Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental by Jojie Alcantara The blueness of the Pacific sea in these parts of my birthplace makes it one of the most beautiful beaches you can ever find in the islands of Mindanao. When waves are high and playful, you will see skimboarders dotting the shores of this long sandy strip. During sunrise, however, you will have all the beach to yourself, except for the busy fishermen starting their day as early as you.

For Manong Insoy (seated, front), a tricycle driver based in Sped School, Bangkal, sharing the Christmas spirit is taking time out to install special lights on his public vehicle, even when his passengers felt like they were being transported by a vibrant UFO on the road. His was the only colorfully lighted unit in the waiting line, and he is quite proud of it. Photo by Jojie Alcantara

MAJESTIC TOOG: PHILIPPINE’S TALLEST LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE For Gil Andipa, a Manobo native who works for the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), climbing trees was a part of his life since childhood. He possesses skills that allow him to scale trees and work on grafting and collecting samples. But he has injured a rib or two from falls when he was younger. On Sept. 28 of this year, he got involved in a project which was enthusiastically started by the citizens of Alegria, a small barangay in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. He was paid to scale the tallest tree in town to install Christmas lights, twice, because no one would dare. Not only was it a tall order, pardon the pun, but a huge amount of electric lights must be acquired to illuminate a living Christmas tree at night. Read my full story here

SENSORY OVERLOAD. What you see is a normal sight in highways and remote provincial roads. Jeepneys carry more than they can handle, and passengers do not mind the precarious positions they find themselves in, as long as they get to their destinations. (photo published in newspaper)

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” – Groucho Marx Note: This digital photo, along with my other files of aerial shoot Boracay in 2010 would be wiped out during the flash flood (June 29, 2011) that damaged our home, my external hard drive, and my personal mementos, including my baby albums and old photos of which I have no copies left (film). Then again, life goes on. And I am still smiling. But I need to visit Boracay again. To view my lost Boracay files, click here.

The majestic Mayon was a candidate of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2008 (did not make it to the top 25 and gave way to our Puerto Princesa’s Underground River) and considered to be one of the world’s most perfectly formed volcanoes.

I was lucky to have been flown above the dangerously beautiful crater and be able to share my images in publications.

“My journey is life is nothing short of mysterious, exciting, and mostly uncertain. I look forward to every single moment of anticipation, apprehension and the eagerness to learn and discover more.” ~ Jojie Alcantara

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